House to pass bills to reopen national parks, VA

By ANDREW TAYLOR
Associated Press

Published: October 1, 2013;Last modified: October 1, 2013 01:26PM

inkWASHINGTON — Republicans say the GOP-controlled House intends to pass legislation to reopen portions of the government, including national parks and processing of claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The House would also allow the government of Washington, D.C. to use its own taxpayer funds to provide services like garbage pickup, as well as keep D.C. employees on the job.

The closure of national parks is among the most visible effects of the partial government shutdown that hit the government after midnight on Monday. It would reopen gates and visitors centers at iconic parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone.

While VA hospitals remain open and veterans benefits continue to be paid, the legislation would allow claims processors to continue to work on the agency’s lengthy backload of applications.